Abstract: A method for producing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer, optionally together with a copolymerizable monomer, within a solvent to produce a polymerization mixture including a polymer having a reactive terminus, coupling a portion of the polymer having a reactive terminus with a hydrocarbyloxysiloxane to produce a polymerization mixture including polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane and residual polymer having a reactive terminues, reacting the residual polymer having a reactive terminus with a functionalizing agent having at least one hydrocarbyloxy functionality to produce a polymerization mixture including a functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane, and desolventizing the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane.

Abstract: A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the process comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; (ii.) introducing an alkoxysilane to the polymer, where the alkoxysilane is defined by the formula I ?where R2 is a hydrocarbyl group, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently a hydrocarbyl group or a hydrocarbyloxy group; and (iii.) introducing a silane having a hydrolyzable functionality, where the silane is defined by the formula II where ? is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R6, R7, and R8 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.

Abstract: A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the method comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; and (ii.) introducing a stabilizing agent to the polymer, where the stabilizing agent is defined by the formula (I) where ÷ is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R2, R3, and R4 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.

Abstract: A method for producing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer, optionally together with a copolymerizable monomer, within a solvent to produce a polymerization mixture including a polymer having a reactive terminus, coupling a portion of the polymer having a reactive terminus with a hydrocarbyloxysiloxane to produce a polymerization mixture including polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane and residual polymer having a reactive terminues, reacting the residual polymer having a reactive terminus with a functionalizing agent having at least one hydrocarbyloxy functionality to produce a polymerization mixture including a functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane, and desolventizing the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane.

Abstract: A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the method comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; and (ii.) introducing a stabilizing agent to the polymer, where the stabilizing agent is defined by the formula (I) where ÷ is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R2, R3, and R4 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.

Abstract: A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the process comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; (ii.) introducing an alkoxysilane to the polymer, where the alkoxysilane is defined by the formula I where R2 is a hydrocarbyl group, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently a hydrocarbyl group or a hydrocarbyloxy group; and (iii.) introducing a silane having a hydrolyzable functionality, where the silane is defined by the formula II where ? is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R6, R7, and R8 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.